Help & Advice

Factors to consider when buying a wool mattress, fabric, upholstered or wood bed

Here are 9 factors to consider when buying a mattress or bed

1. How firm do I need my mattress to be?

People are different and have different needs and preferences, some like a soft and yielding mattress and some like a much firmer mattress. We offer a range of mattresses across a wide price range to cover all options. But importantly every one of our mattresses has excellent lumber support. Couple this with one of our quality wooden beds and you will be set for the perfect night’s sleep. For advice on any of our products get in touch with our team of sleep experts. They will ask you the right questions to find the mattress that best suits you. Visit any one of our 4 showrooms to try out all our mattresses and look at our range of quality beds. Or ring us  020 3927 7777, email us at [email protected] or book a video call here to allow us to show you around the products and talk you through your options.

2. How much will my mattress cost?

Here at Warren Evans, we have a wide range of mattresses to suit all budgets. But no matter how much you spend with us, rest assured that you will always receive excellent value for your money. From our natural materials to our spring systems, we can assure you we have the right mattress for you. Quality springs are essential for good support and our mattresses vary in price depending on the number and type of spring. We only use organic wool in all our mattresses. And yes, organic wool is more expensive, but we think it’s worth it. Its excellent qualities keep you warmer in winter and cooler in summer and it maintains its robust nature for longer, rebounding again and again, for ultimate comfort night after night and year after year.

3. What’s my mattress made of?

We choose to use tried and tested natural mattress fillers that are made from cotton, organic wool and coconut coir fibres, in conjunction with superb spring units. The way that we combine the fillers and the springs allows the mattress to become a natural set of lungs, breathing air in and out of the mattress whenever it’s slept upon. This helps to keep the fibres in pristine condition, enhancing their ability to remain supportive by maintaining their body and shape. The natural organic wool supports coolness in summer and warmth in winter by wicking away moisture when you’re warm and insulating you when you’re cold. We only use organic wool from well cared for sheep, we believe the additional cost is well worth it; it’s good for the sheep and also improves the quality of their fleece. All our mattress covers are made from natural 100% cotton with only natural fire retardants. Our mattresses contain no foams (plastic and petrochemical products), no latex (rubber) and no 'cooling gels’. We also never use chemical Fire Retardants or any other chemical nasties and it's been like that for us for years now.

4. How long will my mattress last?

An organic, well-made sprung mattress is heavier than its foam or hybrid equivalent and its thicker, sturdier fillers lead to a longer supportive and comfortable life. A good mattress can't be 'rolled into a box' and give lasting support. All our mattresses are sturdy, reliable, handmade and conveniently delivered to the room of your choice, free of charge. We only use 3 types of fillers: all the sleeping layers are 100 % organic wool with either 100 % cotton rebound pads or 100 % coconut fibre pads for insulating and cocooning our pocket sprung mattress units. All our pocket sprung mattresses are guaranteed for 10 years.

5. 100 Night Trial – What if my mattress is not right for me?

Shopping for a new mattress can be overwhelming; it's a big decision! Good sleep makes all the difference to our health and well-being, and a free home trial is the only way you will really know if a mattress suits you. We've been offering free trials for over 20 years; it's a risk free and accurate way to know whether a mattress is right for you. And that's why we offer our 100 Night trial on all our mattresses and beds. This allows you to either return your mattress for a full ‘no quibbles’ refund or exchange it for a more suitable alternative at any point within the 100 days post-delivery.

6. Does my mattresses contain any nasty chemicals?

We only use natural materials, that’s no foams, no latex and no 'cooling gels’, which means virtually no VOCs.

Most mattresses made worldwide now contain Foam or Latex: Asthma, skin allergies and toxic fungi are worsened by foam as its non-porous and traps air, perspiration, and humidity. In turn, this generates a hot and damp breeding ground for bacteria, especially as our minuscule skin scales do not travel through foams and remain trapped within this toxic breeding ground. This is bad for us and our immediate environment in so many ways.

'Natural Latex' is being heavily championed as a foam alternative; but it's only minimally better, as it is still rubber which requires many toxic chemicals to process it. It has the same negative elements as foam mattresses, with virtually no internal airflow, creating a mattress that is a sponge that holds moisture. The myth that it's biodegradable in landfills is also nonsense. Tests have shown that latex takes over 150 years to biodegrade in landfill conditions. Sprung and natural fillers are by far the superior choice. Steel springs are easy to recycle, and natural fillers rot away in soil within three years or so, feeding a healthy biological balance within the soil whilst doing so. So, keeping it natural is good for you and good for the environment. And that’s just how we like it!

7. Am I getting the best quality?

We use only 100% cotton covers, natural fire retardants, proper quality springs, natural porous fillers and traditional craftsmanship. Our mattresses give years of cool, supportive and comfortable sleep. The same applies to our sturdy beautiful beds, built to last using solid wood and ply, the natural finishes are VOCs-safe and protected with a long-lasting quality finish.

8. Are the beds made to the same standards as the mattresses?

Our bed frames and slats are made from 100% solid Golden Pine and solid ply that is 100% FSC approved. With 45 years’ experience of hand-making solid and durable beds that are built to last, we are proud that they are as beautiful as they are strong. All the materials and workmanship in our beds and mattresses are guaranteed for years. With over 1 million products out there, we are truly the connoisseurs of quality handmade beds and mattresses

9. And what about delivery?

We offer free delivery to much of Southeastern UK from our own in-house delivery team. Your bed and Mattress will be delivered by an experienced and friendly 2-man team to the room of your choice. Our team will assemble the bed and place the mattress on it and take away any plastic wrapping. They will recycle your old bed and mattress (the mattress will be taken from the bedroom, but the bed will need to be dismantled and next to the front door ready to go). If you are outside our delivery zone, we can help you organise a courier to collect from our North London Workshop. Our free delivery service has no hidden costs and means all you will have to do is let our team in!

How to take care of your new mattress

Did I choose the right mattress?

You should choose the mattress that gives you best support and one that feels comfortable and right for you!
Just like a new pair of shoes, it will take some time for your body to adjust to your new mattress. All mattresses take 2 to 4 weeks to break in, to open the springs and/or soften the fillers and make them as comfortable as the showroom models. If you are very light in weight, this process can take up to 6 weeks.
To help prevent damaging your mattress and invalidating your guarantee, it is strongly advised the mattress is never bent or folded for access or transport purposes. Avoid using it as a step ladder to reach something high up and try not to let the kids use it as a trampoline!
Due to the production and nature of the mattresses we sell, please expect a tolerance of up to plus or minus 2.5cm (1”) on all the mattress dimensions we quote.

Why should I rotate my mattress?

This helps to spread the wear and tear across a wider area, reduces the appearance of dipping and helps extend its life, as well giving you optimum comfort for years to come.
Single-sided Mattresses: Rotate head to toe every 2 weeks
Double-sided Mattresses: Rotate head to toe and flip over after 2 weeks. After that, flip the mattress every 3 months and rotate every 2 weeks (bar when you were flipping your mattress).
Mattress covers and protectors are ideal to help keep your mattress clean and healthy. We advise you to use washable covers or mattress protectors made from natural materials to help keep your mattress clean and healthy.

Why does my mattress smell?

All types of new mattresses smell a little to begin with. We notice the same when the showroom mattresses are replaced. Once the mattress is made, it is sealed in its protective packaging cover straight away which does not give it time to air. The good news is that it gives off a healthy organic smell, like a fresh, country field, the smell has no dangerous VOC's within it and is certainly not harmful.
Most people don't mind the beautiful smell of organic wool; But if it does bother you even slightly, we advise airing the mattress without the duvet, sheets and mattress protectors for the first couple of days whenever possible, leaving the bedroom door and a window open. Please do not worry, the smell only takes days to fade, and if it's not to your liking you are still covered by the no quibbles return policy of 100 days, with the money back promise.

How can I clean my mattress?

We advise you start by lightly hoovering your mattress. This helps remove surface fluff, dust and dirt and prevents all of these from penetrating deeper into the mattress. We recommend you lay the mattress flat on the floor if possible, using a using a sheet so it's not in direct contact with the floor.
You can also fill a spray bottle with half a cup of washing powder and a cup of warm water. Shake well so that it mixes properly and spray the solution where the stains are. Let it soak for 30-40 minutes and rinse thoroughly. It's important that you let it dry properly!
If the stains don't go away, you can also fill a spray bottle with a 1/4 cup of white wine vinegar and a 3/4 cup of water. Shake the solution well and spray the stains. Let it soak for 5 minutes or so and rub it with a warm cloth. Once clean, gently press on the mattress to remove excess water. Once again, make sure it's completely dry afterwards.
We advise you not to use too much water. The Egyptian covers as well as the cotton/wool fillers are super breathable, but a damp environment can create mould, and we obviously want to avoid this.

I'm moving my mattress. How can I make sure it's not damaged?

Do not bend your mattress! This can have an impact on the fillers and spring system, that's why we strongly discourage you from bending it. If this is a concern of yours, we do offer a Velcro Link option for our bigger mattresses to ensure it's quality and guarantee stay intact.

How to take care of your new bed

How can I avoid damaging my new bed?

Make sure your bed frame (especially your headboard) is pushed up against or touching a wall when positioning your new frame in your bedroom after assembly. We can supply felt strips if needed to avoid marking your wall.
Also bear in mind that direct sunlight will affect the wood's appearance, as it can discolour the stain. Part of the charm of our natural wood products is that there can be a unique variation in colour, grain and knots between each different product and their individual components.
If you have ordered one of our bed frames in a white or lighter painted finishes, please note that as the pine wood matures and darkens under the white and cream paint; the knots may start to age through the painted finish as time passes. Unfortunately, this is not something we can control; it is the wood's natural aging process.
Due to the handmade nature of our products, we allow a tolerance of plus or minus 2.5cm (1”) on all our products' dimensions.

I need to disassemble my bed. How can I do it?

If you need to disassemble and re-assemble your bed frame at any point, please ensure the instructions for this procedure are adhered to, to avoid invalidating your guarantee. Instructions are available on our website and you can find them by clicking here or through our Customer Service Team at [email protected]. We can assure you our frames are very simple to build.

How can I clean my wood products?

Wood is a very low-maintenance material, but we recommend weekly dustings for general upkeep. Do be particularly careful, however, when you clean wooden painted surfaces. In this case, we recommend using a light or white cloth as some cloths can transfer the dyes to the paint.
In the case of spillages, it is key to blot away the liquid as quickly as you can. You can slightly dampen a lint-free or microfibre cloth with water and wipe away the mess immediately. The most important thing about taking care of wood is not to saturate the wood with too much water.
However, if there are any stains that require some more ‘heavy duty’ work, add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to 2 cups of warm water for a homemade cleaner. You can also add a squirt of washing up liquid for extra cleaning power if needed. Always ensure you wipe the surface until almost dry.
If you want to go the extra mile, you can do the following, as advised by Better Homes and Gardens:
1. To revive grimy wood furniture, mix equal parts olive oil, denatured alcohol, gum turpentine and strained lemon juice. Make sure you are using a lint-free or microfibre cloth that is damp, not wet.
2. Apply with a soft cloth and buff with a clean, dry cloth.

How can I clean my easy-clean velvet products?

General maintenance: vacuum every few weeks. Also, try to keep velvet out of direct sunlight as much as possible as the colour may fade over time.
For general stains, try to act quickly. It’s better to act before the stain sinks in. Put 1-2 drops of washing up liquid in a cup of lukewarm water and mix it until it becomes sudsy. Soak a lint-free or microfibre cloth and blot the stain until it disappears. This works better than rubbing or dragging if the stain hasn’t sunk in. Try to not use too much water or soap, it is important to pat dry as much as possible rather than soak.
Quick tip: If the issue is a spill, soak up the excess liquid first with a lint-free cloth. If it is a large stain, you can use a hairdryer on the lowest heat setting to speed up the process. To avoid water marks after cleaning we advise that you dampen a colourfast cloth with boiled water and gently wipe the entire panel or cushion from seam to seam. This will help to prevent any water stains as the fabric dries.
When brushing the velvet, particularly for our headboards and bedframes, it’s better to use a downwards motion; always follow the same direction, otherwise you will see imprints on the velvet. It also helps to use the back of a blunt knife to “comb” the fabric, once again, always in the same downwards motion to make it look neat.
Vacuum your headboard (if buttoned) when you clean. Once a fortnight should be fine. If you have pets, a good way to eliminate the odour is putting 50/50 water and vinegar in a spray bottle, shake it thoroughly and spray lightly. Allow to airdry. Always make sure the velvet doesn’t soak.
Steaming also works. Start at one corner and move the steamer along the fabric in a slow steady motion. Make sure not to hold the steamer in one place for more than a few seconds. After you steam, use a stiff lint brush to brush the fibres down as they soften.

How can I clean my Belgian linen products?

f the stain is dry, make sure to gently scrape it (i.e. mud). Do not rub! Use 1-2 drops of washing up liquid in a cup of lukewarm/cold water depending on the type of stain. Mild soap or detergent works too. Mix it until it becomes sudsy. Take a light-coloured lint-free or microfibre cloth and make it damp (not wet!) to blot the stain until it disappears. You can gently rub it side to side if you need to. Make sure you do this very gently, otherwise you will end up pushing the stain further into the fabric. Ideally, you want to transfer the dirt to the cloth instead. Bear in mind that linen becomes softer and more absorbent over time.

How can I clean my soft jeans cotton products?

Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the stain and let it sit for a few seconds. Wet a clean rag with water and gently rub it over the baking soda to make a paste. This way you can scrub away the stains. After rubbing it, leave the baking soda paste to dry and vacuum it up once completely dry.